Method and apparatus for controlling the processing of filamentary material



Feb. 16, 1965 J. R. WHITE 3,159,351

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTRGLLING THE PROCESSING OF FILAMENTARYMATERIAL Filed Feb. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jmwss A. WHITEArron/v5 V) Feb. 16, 1965 J. R. WHITE 3,169,361

macs AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PROCESSING OF FILAMENTARYMATERIAL Filed Feb. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "88 mv TOR ig- JAMES A. H/ft Arrow/5V3 United States Patent Ofitice 3,169,361 Patented Feb. 16,1965 The invention relates to method of and apparatus for processingfilamentary materials and especially to a method and apparatus forcontrolling the operation of a twister and more specifically to a methodand means of controlling the relative position of the ring rail at thecompletion of a twisting operation.

It has been conventional practice in the textile industry to transfer orwind filamentary materials from supply packages onto bobbins or spindlesrotating at high speeds and, through the medium of a ringtraveler orfiyer carried by a ring rail, to impart twist to the filamentarymaterial as it is collected upon a bobbin or a spindle of a twisterapparatus. A twister of conventional character is provided with a largenumber of bobbin carrying spindles which are simultaneously driven atthe same speed in order that the same amount of twisted material or yarnis collected on each spindle.

It is imperative that the bobbins have substantially the same amount ofyarn to insure uninterrupted weaving or knitting operations. It isconventional to employ a mechanically actuated counting device adaptedto be manually preset or adjusted to meter the total yardage to beplaced on the bobbins and when such amount of the filamentary materialis transferred to the bobbins, the yard age counting device actuatesmeans for interrupting the circuit to the spindle drive motor bringingthe motor and spindles to a stop.

The interruption of the motor circuit occurs irrespective of therelative position of the ring rail which is adapted for verticalreciprocatory movement. The ring rail may therefore stop in any positionand unless such stoppage occurs at its uppermost or lowermost position,difiiculties are encountered in removing the bobbins from the spindles.

This invention embraces a method of and apparatus for controlling theoperation of the motor driving the twister spindles and ring rail tocondition the motor circuit when a predetermined yardage of filamentarymaterial has been wound on the bobbins, to effect continued rotation ofthe motor until the ring rail is moved to a predetermined position atwhich the motor is automatically de-energized.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of andapparatus for effecting an interrelation between 21 yardage counteractuated means and a ring rail actuated means to eliect an interruptionof the motor circuit upon transfer of predetermined yardage to thecollector bobbins and after the ring rail is moved to a positionfacilitating easy removal of filled bobbins and installation of emptybobbins on the twister spindles.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a textile strand or yarntwisting or packaging apparatus embodying an arrangement for performingthe method of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the portion of the twistermechanism or apparatus illustrated in FIG- URE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic view of the motor control circuit and componentsfor controlling the operation of the twister.

Referring to the drawings in detail and initially to FIGURES 1 and 2,there is illustrated a twister apparatus which is inclusive of aframeltl comprising end plates 12, one of which is shown in thedrawings, the end plates being connected by means of spindle supportingbolster rails 14 at each side, one of which is shown, and by a supplypackage mounting structure 16. The structure 16' is provided withsuitable mandrels (not shown), each mandrel supporting a supply package20 of strand or other filamentary material to be twisted or processed bythe apparatus.

Each of the longitudinally extending bolster rails 14 supports aplurality of spindles through the medium of bolster members 22, each ofthe bolster members22 journally supporting a spindle 24. Each of thespindles 24 is adapted to accommodate a spool or bobbin 26 upon which iswound the strand or filamentary material 21 from an individual supplypackage 20. Each spindle is provided with a whorl 30 and the whorls ofeach pair of spindles are driven by direct contact with a driving belt32.

Each of the driving belts 32 engages or takes over a driving pulley 34,there being a driving pulley for each belt 32. The driving pulleys 34are fixedly mounted upon a longitudinally extending drive shaft 36journaled in suitable bearings carried by the end plates 12 of the frame10, the shaft 36 being driven by an electrically energizable motor 38mounted at one end of the twister frame construction. The twisterapparatus includes means for feeding or advancing the strand material 21from the packages 20, there being an individual feeding means or unit 40for each strand at a bobbin winding station.

In the embodiment illustrated, the means for feeding or advancing thefilamentary material or strand comprises pairs of feed rolls, each unitcomprising rolls 42 and 44 journally supported in a housing or casing46, the material feeding units being of conventional construction. Therolls 42 and 44 are driven through suitable friction means from a singleshaft 50 which is rotated by a belt 52 engaging a drive pulley 54 on theshaft 36 and engaging a driven pulley 56 adapted through gearing 58 torotate the shaft 50 at the proper speed.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a similar drive is provided for the companionshaft 50 driving the feed roll units for the strands at the oppositeside of the twister apparatus through a belt 52' driven by pulley 54' onthe shaft 36 which engages a driven pulley 56 for the roll feed shaft50'. Each of the material feeding units 40 is inclusive of a member 60having an eye 62 through which passes the strand 21 from the package 20.The strand is threaded between the driven rolls 42 and 44 and through aguide eye 64, as shown in FIGURE 1.

The member 69 is connected withconventional cam means within each feedroll unit establishing a friction drive to the feed rolls to advance thestrand during the period that the strand 21 is tensioned between the eye62 in the member 60 and the supply package. In the event of breakage ofa strand between the feed rolls and the adjacent strand package, themember 60 is automatically moved by reason of the lack of tension of thestrand to disengage the drive for the adjacent feed unit.

The twister apparatus includes a conventional ring rail 68, there beingone for each row of bobbins at opposite sides of the twister, the ringrails being reciprocable in vertical directions. Mounted upon each ringrail 68 adjacent and surrounding each spindle 24 is a ring 70 supportinga traveler or fiyer 72 which is freely rotatable around the spindle in acircular orbital path provided by the ring 70, the adjacent strand 21being threaded through the traveler 72.

In the twister shown in the drawings, the motor 38 provides a drivingmeans for rotating the spindles 24 and the bobbins 26, for verticallyreciprocating the ring rail 68 carrying the rings 70 and travelers 72,and for driving the feed rollunits 40. The arrangement for verticallyreciprocating the ring rail is conventional and includes a crank oreccentric (not shown) driven by the motor 38, the crank or eccentricetfecting longitudinal reciprocation of the link or rod 74 which, inturn, actuates two bell cranks 76, one of which is shown in FIGURE 2,pivotally supported upon a bracket 78 depending from the bolster rail14.

Each bell crank 76 is connected by means of a link 80 with a verticallyreciprocable rod 82, the upper end of which is secured to the ring rail68. The rods 82 are mounted in suitable guide bushings 84 carried by thebolster rail 14. An identical arrangement of links, bell cranks and rodsis provided at the opposite side of the twister frame for actuating thesecond ring rail.

In the operation of the twister apparatus, the strand 21 is wound uponthe bobbins 26 rotating at high speed and, through the use of thetravelers72, each strand is twisted as it is collected or wound upon abobbin. During the winding, the ring rail 68 is continuously reciprocated in order to distribute the strand lengthwise of the bobbinupon which it is being wound in a conventional manner. The twister isprovided with a yardage counter or yardage integrator 88 of a. typeadapted to be manually set or adjusted for the amount of yardage to beplaced on each of the bobbins.

The counter mechanism is driven by a belt 85 or other means driven bythe motor 38. In conventional twister apparatus, the counter actuates aswitch to in terrupt the circuit of the drive motor when the number ofyards for which the counter has been set have been wound on the bobbins.the drive motor brings all driven components of the twister mechanism torest. In this type of control for interrupting the motor circuit, thering rail 68 may be in any position when the motor is de-energized. Ifthe rail is stopped at a position intermediate its stroke, difiicultiesare encountered in endeavoring to remove the filled bobbins or strandpackages from the spindles 24.

The present invention is inclusive of means for effecting continuedoperation of the motor 38 after the counter 88 has actuated a switchmeans embodied therein so that the ring rail, feed rolls and thespindles are not brought to rest until the ring rail has been moved to apredetermined position, preferably at its lowermost position, tofacilitate easy removal of the filled bobbins 26. This is accomplishedthrough the provision of control means intercalated in the motor circuitand with the switch means in the counter 88 rendered effective when thering rail reaches a predetermined position to interrupt the energizingcircuit of the drive motor 38.

The circuit for accomplishing this purpose is schematically illustratedin FIGURE 3. Referring to FlG- URE 3, the motor 38 is operated by athree phase power supply designated L1, L2 and L3 through a magneticstarter 90 of conventional construction. A control circuit 92 isprovided for the motor 38 which includes a transformer 94, a manuallyoperated switch 96 for initiating operation of the motor controlcircuit, a manually operable stop switch 98 and a relay 100 for closingand opening the motor contacts M1, M2 and M3 of the magnetic starter.

One side of the manually starting switch 96 is connected by a conductor104 with a counter actuated switch 106 associated with the counter 88,the switch 106 being connected by means of a lead'108 with a holdingrelay 110, the holding relay 110 being connected with the otherInterruption of the circuit to 4 I side of the switch 96. Connectedacross the switch 96 between the conductors 104 and 108 is a limitswitch 112 which is in parallel with the counter controlled switch .106.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a bracket 114 mounted by one of the endplates 12 provides a support for a switch housing 116 enclosing thelimit switch 112, shown in FIGURE 3, the limit switch being providedwith a movable actuating arm 118. Mounted upon the ring rail 68 is aplateor member 120 disposed in a position to engage the arm 118 of thelimit switch 112 at each reciprocation of the ring rail 68. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the limit switch housing 116is disposed whereby the member 120 on the ring rail 68 engages andactuates arm 118 at a lowermost position of the ring rail 68.

In the operation of the twister, the operator first adjusts or sets thecounter 88 to the yardage desired to be packaged or wound on the bobbins26 and then manually closes the switches 96 of the control circuit 92.This operation energizes the relay controlling the contacts M1, M2 andM3 of the motor starter 90 to initiate operation of the drive motor 38.A holding relay is energized providing a circuit for the motor 38through the normally closed switch 106 in the counter and through therelay 110.

At each reciprocation of the ring rail 68 during bobbin windingoperations, the member actuates the arm 118 of the limit switch 112 butsuch switch does not affect the circuit to the motor 38 as the circuitis maintained through the closed switch 106 of the counter mechanism.When the counter 88 registers the yardage for which it has beenpreviously manually set, the counter automatically opens the switch 106.

The opening of the switch 106 does not interrupt the control circuit forthe 'motor 38 as the motor continues to operate during the period thatthe limit switch 112 is in circuit-closing position. The twistercontinues to be operated by the drive motor 38 until the ring rail 68reaches a position at which the member 120 actuates the arm 118 of thelimit switch 112 to open the control circuit for the motor 38 throughdeenergization of the holding relay 110 whereby the drive motor 38 andthe driven components of the twister are brought to rest.

Through this method and arrangement, the ring rail 68 is always moved toa predetermined position at the completion of winding operations. In theembodiment illustrated, the member 120 actuates the limit switch 112when the ring rail is at its lowermost position and is brought to restin this position. Q

The filled bobbin 26 may then be readily removed from all of thespindles and replaced with empty bobbins. While the limit switch ispositioned with respect to the ring rail 68 to cause the ring rail to bebrought to rest in its lowermost position, it is to be understood thatby changing the position of the limit switch hous- I ing 116, the ringrail 68 may be automatically brought to rest in any desired positionafter the amount of yardage for which the counter 88 has been set hasbeen wound on the bobbins.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand dilferent arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. The method of controlling the operation of apparatus for transferringfilamentary material from supply packages to rotating bobbins throughthe medium of a movable guide for distributing the filamentary materialon the bobbins including the steps of presetting a yardage counter forthe amount of yardage of filamentary material to be collected on thebobbins, initiating operation of a motor driving the bobbins andactuating the yardage counter and the guide, automatically actuating aswitch by the counter when the predetermined yardage of filamentarymaterial has been transferred to the bobbins to condition a controlcircuit for the motor, and thereafter automatically de-energizing themotor when the moving guide attains a predetermined position.

2. The method of controlling the operation of twister apparatus whereinfilamentary material is transferred to rotating bobbins through themedium of a movable ring guide rail and ring travelers including thesteps of presetting a yardage counter for the amount of yardage offilamentary material to be collected on the bobbins. initiatingoperation of a control circuit to energize a motor driving the bobbinsand actuating the yardage counter and moving the ring rail,automatically opening a switch in the motor control circuit by thecounter to condition the motor control circuit when the predeterminedyardage has been transferred to the bobbins, and thereafterautomatically opening the control circuit to de-energize the motor whenthe ring rail is moved to a predetermined position.

3. In combination with apparatus for transferring filamentary materialfrom supply packages to rotating bob bins having an electricallyenergizable motor for rotating a plurality of bobbins and effectingreciprocating movement of a guide rail for distributing the material onthe bobbins, a yardage counting means driven by the electricallyenergizable motor. said yardage counting means being adjustable topredetermine the yardage to be wound on the bobbins, a control circuitfor said motor, a first switch means in said circuit actuable by saidcounting means. and a second switch means intercalated with said firstswitch means arranged to interrupt operation of the motor when the guiderail attains a predetermined position.

4. In combination with a twister apparatus having an electricallyenergizable motor for rotating a plurality of bobbins and effectingvertical reciprocation of a ring rail, a yardage counting means drivenby the electrically energizable motor, said yardage counting means beingmanually adjustable to predetermine the yardage to be wound on thebobbins, a control circuit for said motor, a first switch means in saidcontrol circuit actuable by said counting means, a second switch meansin said control circuit arranged to be actuated at each reciprocation ofthe ring rail, said first switch means being ar ranged to be opened bythe counting meanswhen the predetermined yardage of material has beenwound on the bobbins to condition the control circuit whereby subsequentactuation of the second switch means de-energizes said motor.

5. In combination with a twister apparatus having an electricallyenergizable motor for rotating a plurality of bobbins and effectingreciprocation of a ring rail, a yardage counter operable during rotationof the bobbins, said counter being settable to predetermine yardage tobe wound on the bobbins, a control circuit for said motor, yardagecounter actuated switch means in said control circuit, a second switchmeans in said control circuit actuated by means associated with the ringrail, said switch means being intercalated whereby said second switchmeans is inefiective to interrupt operation of the motor until thecounter actuated switch means is moved to open position.

6. In combination with a twister apparatus having an electricallyenergizable motor for rotating a plurality of bobbins and effectingreciprocation of a ring rail, a yardage counter operable during rotationof the bobbins: said counter being settable to predetermine yardage tobe Wound on the bobbins, a control circuit for said motor. yardagecounter actuated switch means in said control circuit, ring railactuated switch means in said control circuit, said switch means beingintercalated whereby said ring rail actuated switch means is ineffectiveto interrupt operation of the motor until the counter actuated switchmean is in open position.

7. In combination with a twister apparatus having an electricallyenergiza'ble motor for rotating a plurality of bobbins and effectingreciprocation of a ring rail, a yardage counter operable during rotationof the bobbins, said counter being settable to predetermine yardage tobe wound on the bobbins, a control circuit for said motor, a firstswitch means in said control circuit arranged to be actuated by saidyardage counter when the predetermined yardage is wound on the bobbins,a second switch means in said control circuit adapted to be actuatedduring movement of said ring rail, said first and second switch meansbeing intercalated whereby said second switch means is ineffective tointerrupt operation of the motor until the counter actuated switch meansis in open position, said second switch means being effective todeenergize said motor when the ring rail is moved to a predeterminedposition.

8. In combination with apparatus for winding filamentary material onrotatable bobbins from supply packages, a member, filamentary materialguide means for each bobbin supported on said member, said member beingmovable relative to said bobbins to distribute the filamentary materiallengthwise of the bobbins, a yardage counter adapted to be preset topredetermine yardage of filamentary material to be wound on the bobbins,an electrically energizable motor arranged to rotate the bobbins andcounter and actuate said movable member, a. control circuit for saidmotor, said circuit including a first switch associated with the yardagecounter, a second switch in parallel with said first switch, said secondswitch being arranged to be controlled by means associated with saidmovable member, said first switch arranged to be opened by the yardagecounter when the predetermined yardage of material has been wound on thebobbins to condition the control circuit whereby subsequent actuation ofthe second switch de-energizes the motor when said member attains apredetermined position.

9. In combination with apparatus for winding filamentary material onrotatable bobbins from supply packages, a ring rail, filamentarymaterial gmide means for each bobbin supported on said ring rail, saidring rail being reciprocable relative to said bobbins to distribute thefilamentary material lengthwise of the bobbins, a yardage counteradapted to be indexed to predetermine yardage of filamentary material tobe wound on the bobbins, an electrically energizable motor arranged torotate the bobbins and counter and reciprocate said ring rail, a controlcircuit for said motor, said circuit including a first switch associatedwith the yardage counter, a second switch in parallel with said firstswitch, said second.

switch being associated with means concomitantly movable with the ringrail, said first switch arranged to he opened by the yardage counterwhen the predetermined yardage of material has been wound on the bobbinsto condition the control circuit whereby subsequent actuation of thesecond switch de-energizes the motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,645,083 Young et al. Oct. II, 1927 1,679,542 Pucci Aug. 7, 19282,461,952 Worth et al. Feb. 15, 1949 2,618,115 Sumner Nov. 18, 19522,922,273 Granberry Jan. 26, 1960 3,029,588 Davis Apr. 17, 1962 FOREIGNPATENTS 849,540 Great Britain Sept. 28, 1960

1. THE METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRINGFILAMENTARY MATERIAL FROM SUPPLY PACKAGES TO ROTATING BOBBINS THROUGHTHE MEDIUM OF A MOVABLE GUIDE FOR DISTRIBUTING THE FILAMENTARY MATERIALON THE BOTTOM INCLUDING THE STEPS OF PRESETTING A YARDAGE COUNTER FORTHE AMOUNT OF YARDAGE OF FILAMENTARY MATERIAL TO BE COLLECTED ON THEBOBBINS, INITIATING OPERATION OF A MOTOR DRIVING THE BOBBINS ANDACTUATING THE